2024 Forest Ridge France Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | April 26, 2024 - May 5, 2024 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: | $4,600 USD |
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France Cultural Journey
Vive la France! A bucket list destination for any traveler, the country beckons with history, culture, and unique flare for life. Paris is legendary and vibrates with energy while the rolling hiles, pristine beaches, rustic chateauxs and towering cathedrals of the countryside provide calming balance. Regardless of where in the country you find yourself, le patrimoine, or the millennia of history and culture that imbues every corner of France, will leave you with a powerful sense of the place, even after a short visit.
Cultural Journeys
Cultural Journeys allow travelers to gain insights into the heritage, history and modern realities of their destination by offering a broad diversity of experience. We rely on the expertise of our local staff to plan itineraries which not only explore the prominent sites but also make time for the lesser-known local gems and are intentional about regular interaction with local people.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Improve your French speaking with locals
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teachers that we must flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 26 | Seattle - Nice | The group will travel from the USA to France in an overnight flight. | Airplane |
| April 27 | Nice | Welcome to France! Upon arrival to Nice, the group will transfer to the hotel and settle in. This evening, we will have our orientation meeting before heading out for a group dinner, also having some time to walk around and explore the neighborhood. | Hotel Albert 1er |
| April 28 | Nice | After a well deserved night of rest, we will have breakfast at the hotel and head out to explore the city. We will begin our day with a walking tour around the old town of Nice and the cathedral to help us get our bearings and learn about the city's rich history. After the tour, the group will take the bus to go to the Matisse museum. For lunch, the group will be given some free time to choose where they want to eat. After we reconvene, we will board the bus to visit the Villefranche sur mer. After spending some free time, we will go back to Nice to board the petite train and visit the Castle Hill and La tour Bellanda to have some beautiful view of Nice. Travelers will have the freedom to choose their own meal tonight alongside some free time. | Hotel Albert 1er |
| April 29 | Nice - Montecarlo | After breakfast, we will take a train to Montecarlo, Monaco where we will spend our day. We will begin exploring Montecarlo by having a free time. We will reconvene after lunch and have a walking tour starting with the iconic Casino Square. We'll marvel at the luxurious architecture and wind our way through the enchanting Jardin Exotique, home to a diverse collection of succulents. We'll also explore the charming Old Town of Monaco-Ville where the Prince's Palace stands proudly overlooking the Mediterranean.We will go inside to marvel at the beauty of the palace. Afterwards, we will visit the Monaco Cathedral and pay respects to Grace Kelly at her final resting place. For those who would like to explore the F1 circuit, we will take a leisurely stroll around the famous Circuit de Monaco by walking the narrow streets and seeing the iconic corners and turns that make this street circuit one of the most challenging and prestigious in Formula 1. We will have free time to visit and eat dinner by ourselves. This evening, we will take the train back to Nice. | Hotel Albert 1er |
| April 30 | Nice - Aix | We will load our vans and head to our next destination, Aix. After driving for a couple of hours, we will reach Aix-en-Provence, where we will be staying for the next couple of days and using it as a base for our upcoming excursions around the area. Upon arrival, we will check in and settle into our rooms. The afternoon will be free to explore in smaller groups. We will take a stroll along Cours Mirabeau, and towards the end of the cours, we will be able to see the Fountain of the Four Dolphins. If there is enough time, we will explore the Old Town and Aix Cathedral. In the evening, the group will get together to enjoy a group dinner in town before heading back to our hotel to prepare for tomorrow's adventure. | Grand Hôtel Roi René Aix en Provence Centre - MGallery |
| May 1 | Aix - Arles - Saint-Rémy-de-Provence | Another day, another excursion! Today we will drive to Arles. After some free time in town to get lunch, we will go to Camargue where we will have horseback riding around the scenic Camargue. Here, we will get a chance to see the famous white Camargue horses roaming freely in the fields amongst other animals characteristic of the region. We will get some free time in town where we will have a walking tour to get a chance to learn more about this town and visit some iconic sites such as its church, Eglise des Saintes-Maries, which holds a revered statue of Saint Sarah. | Grand Hôtel Roi René Aix en Provence Centre - MGallery |
| May 2 | Aix - Camargue | Today, we will take a van to Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. During our excursion, the group will visit the ruins of the Ancient Roman city of Glanum in Saint-Remy. Afterwards, we will visit the Saint-Paul Asylum. The place hosts a collection of paintings that Vincent van Gogh made when he was a self-admitted patient. We will then have a free time at Saint Remy to get lunch and then we will recovene to have a walking tour. We will then have free time. In the afternoon, we will drive back to Aix, where the group will be able to get their own dinner before heading back to the hotel. | Grand Hôtel Roi René Aix en Provence Centre - MGallery |
| May 3 | Aix - Marseille - Nice | The group will travel by van from Aix to Nice, making a stop in Marseille. Starting our morning with a scenic boat excursion along the Mediterranean coast. Absorb the stunning views of the Calanques and the Château d'If, immersing ourselves in the beauty of Marseille's maritime landscape. After the boat adventure, explore the historic Old Port. The group will have lunch on their own by indulging in local cuisine at the waterfront cafés. After lunch, we will have a walking tour and discover the vibrant Le Panier district's narrow streets, adorned with colorful facades and charming boutiques. Then, we will visit the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde for panoramic city views. We will conclude our day with a leisurely stroll along the Corniche Kennedy, relishing the Mediterranean breeze. We will have dinner on our own before heading back to the hotel to rest for our final day of the program tomorrow. | Hotel Albert 1er |
| May 4 | Nice | On our final day in France, we will continue exploring Nice. After breakfast, we will visit The Palais Lascaris is one of the most beautiful museums in Nice. We will have free time for lunch, and then we will visit the Marc Chagall National Museum. In the afternoon, we will continue exploring in smaller groups, getting a final glimpse of the city and buying some last-minute souvenirs. This evening, we will complete some end-of-program activities before heading out for our final celebratory group dinner. We will then head back to our hotel to prepare for our international departure tomorrow. | Hotel Albert 1er |
| May 5 | Nice - Seattle | Today, we will transfer to the airport by van to catch our international flight home. | Your own bed, eventually! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Hotel Albert 1er
Albert 1er is located in Nice, just a 2-minute walk from the beach and the Promenade des Anglais. This hotel is set in a building dating from the 1930s and offers free WiFi access. All air-conditioned rooms at Albert 1er are equipped with a satellite flat-screen TV, a refrigerator and a safety deposit box, while some also offer views of the garden or the sea. The private bathroom has a bath or shower, toilet and hairdryer.
Grand Hôtel Roi René Aix en Provence Centre – MGallery
Located just a 5-minute walk from Cours Mirabeau and the center of Aix-en-Provence, Grand Hôtel Roi René Aix en Provence Center – MGallery is a 4-star hotel featuring a heated seasonal outdoor pool open from April to the end of September. It also features a terrace, a fitness center and free WiFi access. Each air-conditioned guest room has been decorated in a contemporary style and includes a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safe. The private bathroom comes with either a bath or shower, bathrobes, a hairdryer, slippers and toiletries.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
This being my first experience with an international trip for my child I have nothing to compare it to. However I feel Walking Tree did an excellent job from conception to completion with informing me on costs, what to expect, safety concerns, and sharing the experience through their blog. While I was worried about how safe my child would be on a trip… on the other side of the world, she told me that she felt safer than school safe.
Stephanie
Parent of Brigid, traveler on Japan Cultural Journey
Your Adventure Includes
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on the itinerary.
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Resource Center
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